Post by motuphils on Jan 1, 2010 9:08:57 GMT 8

Good day everyone!

We have been made aware of the existence of a Fansproject City Commander Upgrade Kit last year, and even one of our members fell victim to it. Couldn't blame him though because from the outside, it is really hard to tell if the item is a bootleg or an original.

So, I decided to make a comparison review between a bootleg FP City Commander versus the real deal so it can be immortalized here as a: 1) warning to potential buyers and sellers, and also, 2) a deciding tool to whoever is getting torn between the orig and the bootleg.

Important Note:

For pics showing two items: Item on the right is a bootleg, left, the original.

Let's start.

The Box

Box Size: Same

Color: Very slight difference. The bootleg has a slightly lighter blue color. Even the pics can't show the difference as much.

Text: Same.

Design: Same.

Adhesive Tape used to seal the box: Different.

As shown in the pics above, the original used a circular adhesive while the bootleg used the usual rectangular shaped adhesive tape.

NOTE:

There are two important differences between the two to take note so far:

1) The KO has slightly lighter blue color of the box. and

2) The adhesive tape used to seal the boxes are different. Circular tape for the original, and regular rectangular tape for the bootleg.

I am giving emphasis on these two differences because these are your ONLY available indicators when purchasing the item MISB. I am not sure if most sellers allow sealed items to be opened for inspection by customers nowadays. If yes, well and good.

Moving forward.

Let's assume that the seller lets you open the item for inspection. Here are the things you need to watch out for.

Presentation: Same. Both uses a "sandwich-type" of soft plastic to hold the toy in place.

The only other immediately noticeable visual difference are the sticker labels.

The Toy Itself

Let's again assume that the seller is confident of the product he's selling, and he allows you to inspect the toy itself. Here are the things you should check out:

To be totally honest, the bootleg's appearance, feel, design and plastic quality matches the original. Even the paint application. However, there are some differences which one can immediately detect.

The black bar

Original

Bootleg

Turn the toy upside down and look for the black bar holding the two sides of the cab together. This black bar is detachable and will be used to lock the two cabin walls together when you transform it to be Magnus' huge bad-ass gun. It also doubles as the gun's scope. This bar also serves as the connection point in trailer mode to Magnus' truck mode.

See the pic above? The bootleg has a hole on its center.

The Gun Handle

Original

Bootleg

Since the toy has already been flipped to show its underside, you might as well look for the "gun handle". The handle can be found immediately under the black bar I have discussed awhile ago.

The bootleg has some contraption clipped onto it, while the original doesn't have any. It is fortunately detachable, because if it isn't, it will make life harder for Magnus to hold his BFG. I don't know its purpose, but it's right there, clinging to the gun handle for dear life. ;D (Since reading the Shadow Commander Review, I realized that the contraption attached to the gun handle is actually a "Sword Handle", one that is included in the Shadow Commander Kit since SC has that awesome sword accessory included. This "clip" is used to hold the sword underneath the trailer in trailer mode.)

The Number 2

Original - embossed #2 on the underside of the leg armor

Original - embossed #2 on the back of the long white locking part of the leg armor

Original - embossed #2 at the "upper left inner leg" of the leg armor

As pointed out by bro ccnayr, these embossed #2's are found on the originals and nada on the KO.

The Huge Gun

See the gap between the cabin walls that's supposed to form the Gun's barrel? That's the bootleg right there. The Original fastens together neatly, while the bootleg, maybe due to its "copied-only" mold, can't be fastened neatly on its own. Good thing the black bar/scope will do its job correctly.

The Gun Handle Tabs

Original

Bootleg

The Bootleg's tabs aren't as wide as the original. It is also rectangular in shape as compared to the originals' triangular shape.

Result?

Suspended Bootleg Gun

Loosey-goosey handle for the bootleg. Why? because the tabs are too thin, it cannot clip properly to the gun's barrel. Still, Magnus can hold the bootleg gun because of the gun's sheer weight collapsing on its front end, negating the loosey-goosey effect of the hapless tabs.

Original. Nice and tight.

The Shoulder Armors

Original

Bootleg

Very loose locks on the shoulder armors. They flail and swing at the back of Magnus' shoulders. The ones you see folding downwards on the above pics are actually the locks found at the upper leftmost part of the Trailer Cab.

The Arms Armor Clip

Original w/ inner blue clip

Bootleg

I think my KO Upgrade Kit came with a missing arms armor clip. Using the pics above for reference, the blue clip found in the middle of the inner casing of the armor of the bootleg is missing. No wonder I cannot lock the darn thing in place.

Result?

See the "extended" arms of the figure at the right? (It shows red arms, because I put the bootleg on Classics OP).

I'm not sure if the other KO FP Upgrade Kits have the same problem as mine. I am returning the kit to my seller and will demand for a replacement. It will render the arms armor useless as it comes off Magnus' arms everytime it is moved or posed.

Price

Original: 4.6K (The one with additional accessories)Bootleg: 2.7K, if you add the additional accessories (650 at GT), 3.35K

Difference of P1,250.00.

Question: Does the P1,250 difference in price justify the purchase of the bootleg toy?

My answer: No it doesn't. Even if I received a properly working arms armor, the negatives still outweigh the positives. The price is really the turn-off factor on this piece. You can purchase an awesome MP Optimus Prime with DIECAST Parts for a mere P1,850, and this all plastic toy at 2.7K pales greater in comparison.

HOWEVER

If this bootleg's price dips down to 1.2 - 1.5K level, I will recommend it in a heartbeat. The plastic quality, paint apps, gimmicks, fit and overall appearance of the bootleg matches the original in all honesty.

But at its current 2.7K price point...you are better off buying the original.

Hope this review helps you out on your decision on what Fansproject Magnus Upgrade Armor Kit to buy.

Post by ccnayr on Jan 1, 2010 10:15:36 GMT 8

Hi Eric! Great comparative review on the KO and Orig City Commander.

Btw, don't bother asking for a replacement for your KO City Commander. All the KOs don't have the clips in the arm armor.

One more easily noticeable difference is in the bottom of the feet armor. There are embossed numbers on the original and none on the KO. Another are the metal pegs used on the joints of the armor. The original has hollow pegs while the KO has solid pegs. Maybe you can add these to your list of differences, Eric

Post by motuphils on Jan 1, 2010 10:22:53 GMT 8

Btw, don't bother asking for a replacement for your KO City Commander. All the KOs don't have the clips in the arm armor.

One more easily noticeable difference is in the bottom of the feet armor. There are embossed numbers on the original and none on the KO. Another are the metal pegs used on the joints of the armor. The original has hollow pegs while the KO has solid pegs. Maybe you can add these to your list of differences, Eric

Thanks Ryan for the updates! Will include the other major differences you have mentioned in my review in awhile.

The disappearing arms armor clips are a bummer! And I thought I was the only one who purchased a "lemon".

Post by ekim_menasor on Jan 1, 2010 13:15:14 GMT 8

hmm that KO looks good already , but they should cut the price down...their almost identical in the first view, its hard to diffrentiate them if you doont inspect deeply..so thats why some people has been cheated they bought a KO, not knowing it is in the first place...but for me still the authentic FP so as not to have regrets at the ned...

Post by motuphils on Jan 1, 2010 13:47:04 GMT 8

hmm that KO looks good already , but they should cut the price down...their almost identical in the first view, its hard to diffrentiate them if you doont inspect deeply..so thats why some people has been cheated they bought a KO, not knowing it is in the first place...

It does look and feel good...at first glance in trailer mode. It still look and feel good once you disassemble it. You have some doubts when the gun handle does not attach to the gun barrel. It's still ok when you put the pieces of armor one by one: legs, shoulders, chest and crotch. Then, Kaboom! the arm armors cannot attach to Magnus' arms. Ouch!

You spend 2.7K for an upgrade kit that will not completely "upgrade" your figure.

I posted this comparison review to let the potential buyers know what they are getting. Some collectors bought this KO for the regular original price of 4K. Ouch! This can also serve as a guide to sellers as well who wants to retain their good reputation by making sure that they sell the original. Also, this sort of information, when properly disseminated and more and more people have been informed, serves as deterrent to shrewd sellers who wants to pass off a KO as an original.

It has potential to say the least, since we can always do some quick-fix for the arm armors, and the KO toy really looks the same as its original counterpart. However, as stated in my review, the price is just too much for this KO.

Bring down the price to a more reasonable level and I'm sure a lot of people will pine for one.

Post by ekim_menasor on Jan 1, 2010 15:12:29 GMT 8

hmm one good thing, that adhesive tape will serve as the indicator for the authentic kit right? since u cant open and inspect them before buying....tnx for this review eric! now i can easily determine them...

Post by Weirdwolf72 on Jan 1, 2010 15:13:29 GMT 8

Moral of the story? Buy the original K.O over the K.O.K.O. hehehe. Problem is, at a first glance, the K.O.K.O. looks almost like the real thing. Thanks for the review bro'............trouble is, which store did you get this?

In as much as I also occassionally buy K.O.'s, the store should be forth coming to inform the buyer of it's origins.

Moderating 101:
1. Conveniently "overlook" violations of those who kiss your @ss then strictly enforce the law on those who disagree with you.
2. Never admit you are wrong unless your mistake is trivial or too obvious to hide.
3. Find every way possible to discredit opposition, especially when they are right.
4. When in doubt, use god mode.
5. Only mods are allowed to make snarky remarks.

Post by motuphils on Jan 1, 2010 15:58:55 GMT 8

Moral of the story? Buy the original K.O over the K.O.K.O. hehehe. Problem is, at a first glance, the K.O.K.O. looks almost like the real thing. Thanks for the review bro'............trouble is, which store did you get this?

In as much as I also occassionally buy K.O.'s, the store should be forth coming to inform the buyer of it's origins.

I got this from Rtoys bro and in fairness to Robert, he sold this as a KO. He also let me open the item to inspect what was inside. However, I'm not certain whether other sellers would be as fair as Robert in selling their items.

I already had the original, and I was intrigued about the KO's quality and decided to give this one a try. Let's just say that I was already an informed buyer when I got this.

Post by ccnayr on Jan 1, 2010 18:01:25 GMT 8

The real problem with this type of KO is that it was made to fool people into thinking they're buying the real thing. But the good thing now is the FP re-issued the CC and added the mark in the box that it's the CC + add on kit. This ensures you're buying the original. Unless, of course, if you want the old 2008 version. But I really don't know why someone would prefer the old one over the newer, cheaper version that has more accessories.

Post by zephon on Jan 1, 2010 18:22:49 GMT 8

The real problem with this type of KO is that it was made to fool people into thinking they're buying the real thing. But the good thing now is the FP re-issued the CC and added the mark in the box that it's the CC + add on kit. This ensures you're buying the original. Unless, of course, if you want the old 2008 version. But I really don't know why someone would prefer the old one over the newer, cheaper version that has more accessories.

coz i think, for all its worth, the first release was glued together instead of screwed togethere. hence the absence of the screw plug bits on the first release. some people can be oc with their tf stuff hehehe

Post by ccnayr on Jan 1, 2010 19:05:34 GMT 8

The real problem with this type of KO is that it was made to fool people into thinking they're buying the real thing. But the good thing now is the FP re-issued the CC and added the mark in the box that it's the CC + add on kit. This ensures you're buying the original. Unless, of course, if you want the old 2008 version. But I really don't know why someone would prefer the old one over the newer, cheaper version that has more accessories.

coz i think, for all its worth, the first release was glued together instead of screwed togethere. hence the absence of the screw plug bits on the first release. some people can be oc with their tf stuff hehehe

Oh, yeah. Forgot about the screw holes, hehe. Well, for maybe a select few then ;D

Post by mm11 on Jan 1, 2010 20:10:48 GMT 8

Moral of the story? Buy the original K.O over the K.O.K.O. hehehe. Problem is, at a first glance, the K.O.K.O. looks almost like the real thing. Thanks for the review bro'............trouble is, which store did you get this?

In as much as I also occassionally buy K.O.'s, the store should be forth coming to inform the buyer of it's origins.

I got this from Rtoys bro and in fairness to Robert, he sold this as a KO. He also let me open the item to inspect what was inside. However, I'm not certain whether other sellers would be as fair as Robert in selling their items.

I already had the original, and I was intrigued about the KO's quality and decided to give this one a try. Let's just say that I was already an informed buyer when I got this.

Robert is indeed a fair and honest seller, no wonder he has lots of buyers and he is very accommodating too. I used to spend almost an hour just chatting with him even me without buying anything for that day.

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